Better house insulation could save Europeans billions

Improved energy efficiency in buildings could save Europeans an annual 270bn euros in heating bills, according to a report from the European Insulation Manufacturers Association (EURIMA).

With about 40% of Europe's total energy used in buildings, improved insulation could also give substantial savings in carbon emissions, the report says.

Simple measures such as cavity wall insulation could save 3.3m barrels of oil a day across Europe - more than a half of that currently used - which would cut CO2 emissions by 460m tonnes a year, or more than the EU's entire carbon cuts required under Kyoto, EURIMA calculates.

The organisation calls on the EU to properly implement its Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and to extend it to existing buildings smaller than 1000 square metres not covered at present. Yet most (90%) of the energy savings to be made are in smaller buildings, according to the report.

Horst Biedermann, EURIMA director general, said: "This report should be a wake-up call for European energy ministers and finance ministers.

"EURIMA is happy to see that European Commissioner for energy Andris Pielbags and Austrian energy minister Martin Bartenstein recognise that energy efficiency in buildings needs a greater focus.

It is time for European energy ministers to demand an action plan on buildings."